Enjoy Life on the Water in Neenah, WI
Situated at the confluence of three waterways, the city is full of natural beauty, outdoor opportunities and flourishing industries.
Sponsored by: The City of Neenah
Its very name means water, and water has shaped every aspect of life in Neenah, Wisconsin.
Situated at the confluence of the Fox River, Little Lake Butte des Morts and Lake Winnebago, Neenah was the birthplace of Kimberly-Clark and, today, is home to thriving industries and several corporate headquarters.
“That waterway is incredibly important to our story,” says Jane Lang, Neenah’s mayor and a longtime resident. “To me, our story is one of perpetual innovation, creativity and an incredible record of philanthropy.
The natural beauty here — the power of the waterway — was harnessed to create industry that built our community, along with a strong focus on giving back.”
The water makes for exceptional quality of life and outdoor experiences, from fishing and boating on Lake Winnebago, to hiking around Little Lake via the Loop the Lake Trail.
“With four different trestles that navigate the water, people have an opportunity to really experience it up close,” says Brad Schmidt, Neenah’s deputy director of community development.
One of Neenah’s newest amenities is the Plaza at Gateway Park, a community gathering space and ice rink that was ranked as one of the 10 most charming in the nation by national lifestyle website Best Life, alongside other well-known rinks like Rockefeller Center in New York City and Winter Wonderland in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
“Downtown is where our industry began, and it is still the heart of Neenah today,” explains Chris Haese, director of community development. “We’ve had plenty of people say they have driven past on I-41 for many years, and when they finally come into town, they are astonished at all they see.”
Health care and education are also strengths. ThedaCare Regional Medical Center in the heart of downtown boasts a Level II trauma center, and Neenah’s schools are highly ranked.
“You can see that those in the past were really thinking about future generations,” Lang adds. “Not just their moment in time but planning and preserving and promoting what would be best for the future.”
Haese echoes that sentiment. “We are always working to be better at what we do, and how we grow and develop,” he says. “That means supporting one another and being stronger as a community.”
